Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ambassador Qirko and the counsellor from Albania, and their colleague from Montenegro. I will not delay long because I have outlined the situation in Montenegro. I was not quite aware that the deputy ambassador was in the audience.

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, said "don't turn your back on us" in April. We would be very supportive, as we have said in respect of Montenegro. It is important that the Balkans become members of the European Union. We are agreed on that. When one sees the geographic location, on the coast, of Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, all the way in to Serbia and Kosovo, it is obvious that the region has to join. Let us get a move on. What is being done in Albania is happening in Montenegro. The judiciary is being reformed. The Venice Commission has been involved in advising on how to bring about the rule of law and democracy. That is very worthwhile. The witnesses' countries are coming out of a situation where they were held back since 1919. They were not given an opportunity to develop. The opportunities for Albania are enormous, including tourism and so on. It is a tremendous location in respect of its climate and so on.

I note the statement and work on Kosovo. The recognition of Kosovo is important. That will be an important step in the right direction. There is an open door to the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. My interpretation of members' views is that we would be very much in support of the witnesses' countries membership of the European Union and we will do the utmost to push for their membership and for security in that region. That is vital. Unless we embrace that region, the danger is that it could lapse into more problems in future. I thank the witnesses for coming. It was a worthwhile contribution. I have enjoyed listening to their views, studying their programme and studying what their Prime Minister has said. The Albanian Government is very democratic, with a 50% male and 50% female cabinet. It is progressive with regard to gender balance. I see the reforms which have taken place. They are worthwhile. As the witnesses said, it is in the interests of the people. What the European Union will do in the future of Albania and Montenegro is in the interests of their citizens. That is what the witnesses' concern is. I am delighted that they are moving in our direction, to the European Union, and I just want to see the European Union moving in their direction sooner rather than later and not to be delayed by the negotiations around Brexit.